Chick-fil-A Dwarf House Sports: Pepperell to play Cedartown at home Friday. Cartersville’s Lawrence, Rome’s Anderson top Player of the Year Watch. Trion no. 1, Darlington no. 13 in separate power ratings. Norman Says on the football weekend that wasn’t.

The post-game scene at Valhalla Friday night as Pepperell defeated Pickens. This Friday, the Dragons premiere their upgraded stadium. Photo courtesy of the PHS Crunk Crew.

Friday’s Pepperell High vs. Cedartown football game will be played at Lynn Hunnicutt Field at Dragon Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Floyd County Schools Director of Facilities David Van Hook said those who attend the game may notice there are several incomplete sections of the track that are being cured for the latex coating and striping over the entire track. There also are some areas of the stadium that are not part of the field that are covered with wheat, straw, and seed. Last week’s home opener was moved to Berry College’s Valhalla field as crews continued to finish upgrades to Dragon Field. Pepperell’s midnight madness scrimmage also was held at Valhalla. Floyd County Schools Superintendent Dr. John Jackson said Friday night’s Pepperell vs. Pickens game was an exceptionally good evening thanks to the assistance of Sports Turf Co., Berry College, Berry’s athletic department and the Pepperell Community. “We want to continue this relationship we’re building with Berry and will certainly welcome a collaborative opportunity that would allow each of our high schools to play a home football game on Bob Williams Field for seasons to come,” said Jackson. “Aside from Berry being great hosts for this athletic event, exposing our students to a beautiful college campus like that gets them to having a vision as to what their road after reaching Destination Graduation could lead to.”

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

John McClellan’s high school picks: John McClellan’s high school picks: Five-point edge for Pepperell over Cedartown; Rome, Cartersville looking at double-digit wins. McClellan

Georgia High School Football Daily: Cartersville’s Trevor Lawrence, Rome’s Adam Anderson ranked no. 1, no. 2 in Player of the Year watch. Plus: Trion no. 1 in Single A Public schools’ power ratings; Darlington no. 13 in A Private.Wednesday

This week’s games:

Cedartown (3-0) at Pepperell (1-1). WGAA 1340 AM

Kell (0-2, 0-0) at Rome (2-0, 0-0). 99.5 FM The Jock

Darlington (1-1) at Heard County (2-1) 1410 AM

Northwest Whitfield (2-1) at Model (0-2)

Coosa (2-0) at Mt. Zion (2-0)

Armuchee (1-1) at Temple (2-0)

Unity Christian School at Shiloh Hills Christian School (0-2)

Woodland (1-1) at Cass (0-2)

Cartersville (3-0) at Westlake (1-1) WBHF 100.3 FM and AM 1450.

Bremen (2-0) at Trion (2-0)

Chattooga (0-2) at Ridgeland (3-0)

Sonoraville (2-0) at Dalton (1-1)

LaFayette (1-2) at Gordon Central (0-2)

Louisiana School for the Deaf (0-0) at Georgia School for the Deaf (0-0) (Saturday)

Teams off this week: Adairsville (2-1), Class 3A Number 6 Calhoun (2-1), and Rockmart (1-2) are off this week.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Norman says: Why oh why. (A series of occasional sports rants from veteran Rome journalist Norman Arey. Posting Thursday: Norman’s No-Nos, the locks to lose in college football this weekend).

-Why can’t Georgia Tech tackle. They spend the same amount of money to get their players as does Alabama, Ohio State and Southern Cal, so why don’t they buy some that can bring someone down?

-Can’t Tennessee replace Phil Fulmer? They tried and tried, and it seems nobody wants the job. Why not? Some of the best facilities and fan base in America.

-Can’t Florida buy an offense and quarterback? The Gators haven’t had anyone with any consistency since Mr. Tim Tebow left and that was in 2009.

-Can’t North Carolina football be more like the Tar Heels basketball?

-Can’t Texas find its way back?

-Can’t Louisville find somebody to help Lamar Jackson?

-Can’t The Big Ten have more than two good teams at a time?

-Can’t Miami be the once-feared, the rumbling, fighting ‘Canes that we remember?

-Why oh why do we make such fools of ourselves each and every fall and then settle for the same old stuff once again? Nobody’s gonna beat Alabama.Ohio State is not the No. 2 in the nation. Oklahoma State is always going to be No. 2 in their state. Does anybody really care about Texas Tech football? Why can’t there be another Steve Spurrier? I think we’re in for another year of same ‘ol, same ‘ol.